Low Visibility Areas & ARC Flash Garments

EN ISO 20471 – High Visibility Clothing

EN ISO 20471 is the primary international standard for high visibility workwear.
It is divided into three performance classes:

• Class 1 – Lowest level of visibility
• Class 2 – Intermediate visibility
• Class 3 – Highest level of visibility

What determines the class?

The classification is based on a combination of:

• Surface area of fluorescent background material
• Amount and placement of retroreflective tape
• Garment design and coverage
• Contrast material positioning

Retroreflective tape may be sewn on or heat sealed,
provided it meets the standard’s performance requirements.

Design expertise matters

Designing garments to EN ISO 20471 is not simply a case of adding reflective tape.
Each garment must be carefully engineered to meet minimum material areas, tape positioning
rules, and durability requirements.

Even within these strict criteria, VAILOS has the expertise to develop bespoke garments,
including the use of custom Pantone colours on high-visibility garments,
while still fully complying with EN ISO 20471.

EN 17353 – Visibility Clothing for Medium-Risk Situations

EN 17353 is a newer standard introduced to address confusion in the marketplace
around visibility garments. It applies to clothing intended for medium-risk or low-light
environments, where full EN ISO 20471 certification may not be required.

This standard is split into different types and performance levels, based on:

• Use of retroreflective elements
• Presence and colour of fluorescent materials
• Intended wear environment and risk exposure

Why EN 17353 was introduced

VAILOS has seen first-hand confusion among health & safety managers and end users,
particularly where:

• A single strip of reflective tape was assumed to mean EN ISO 20471 compliance
• Trousers with two reflective bands were mistaken for certified high-visibility garments
• Products visually appeared compliant but were not certified

EN 17353 helps remove ambiguity by more clearly defining what visibility performance
the garment actually provides.

A Critical Reminder: Appearance ≠ Compliance

One of the most important points to understand:

Just because a garment includes retroreflective tape does NOT mean it meets EN ISO 20471.

The only way to confirm compliance is to:

• Check the technical label inside the garment
• Verify the declared standard (EN ISO 20471 or EN 17353)
• Ensure the garment class or type matches the risk assessment

ARC Flash + Low Visibility = Dual Compliance

When working in environments where arc flash protection and low visibility are both present:

• Garments must meet ARC / FR performance requirements
• Visibility must be certified to EN ISO 20471 or
  EN 17353, depending on the risk level

This is where specialist design knowledge is essential. ARC garments cannot simply
“add visibility” without considering material compatibility, certification limits,
and garment construction.

Best Practice Guidance

If garments are required for low visibility areas, always ensure:

• The required standard (EN ISO 20471 or EN 17353) is clearly stated on the technical label
• The class or type aligns with your site risk assessment
• ARC-rated garments are designed and certified as a complete system, not modified after production

VAILOS designs its garments with these requirements in mind from the outset—ensuring clarity,
compliance, and confidence for safety managers and wearers alike.